By Kahinde Giwa
Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the former chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), addressed the persistent issue of exorbitant and unaffordable Hajj fares, attributing it to the ongoing depreciation of the Nigerian naira.
Speaking at a reception organised in his honour by “The Companion,” an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, the ex-NAHCON boss shared his insights on the matter during an interaction with journalists in Lagos.
The event, held on a Sunday, was attended by distinguished individuals, including Senator Shuaib Salis, former Osun State governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, President of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, Prof. Daud Noibi, Dr Muiz Banire, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Dr Khalid Olukoya, and other notable dignitaries.
This gathering provided a platform for Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan to express his concerns about the escalating costs associated with the Hajj pilgrimage.
During his address, the former NAHCON chairman conveyed his deep apprehension about the high expenses incurred by pilgrims and reiterated his commitment to finding solutions to alleviate the financial burden on the Muslim faithful undertaking the sacred journey.
Despite his earnest desire to mitigate the costs, Alhaji Hassan acknowledged the inevitability of the situation, citing the adverse impact of the fluctuating exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Nigerian naira.
In emphasising the connection between the Hajj fare and the devaluation of the naira, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan underscored the challenges posed by the economic dynamics influenced by the exchange rate.
The presence of esteemed personalities at the event lent weight to the significance of the issue, reflecting the broader implications for the Muslim community and the urgency of addressing the economic factors affecting the affordability of the pilgrimage.
As the discourse unfolded, attendees listened attentively to the former NAHCON boss’s insights, contemplating the intricate interplay between economic forces and religious obligations.
Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan’s statements at this gathering highlighted the need for a comprehensive examination of the economic factors impacting Hajj costs, encouraging further dialogue and collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by prospective pilgrims.
On the challenges he faced as Chairman of the Hajj Commission, while in office, Alhaji Hassan, said Hajj was not a tea party “because it’s a movement of logistics and human beings.”
He said his concern and even that of the new management too remained the rising cost of Hajj but expressed confidence in the current management led by Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi in “doing their very best to ensure that within the constraints, they are able to handle the situation successfully.”
“Hajj itself is not a tea party because it’s a movement of logistics and human beings. More importantly, the concern of myself and even I am sure the new management too is the rising cost of Hajj. And as long as we have problems with the Forex, the challenge of Hajj being affordable would remain